I Keep My Peace

Acoustic, solo 6-string acoustic Oud in alternate tunings; intricate fingerpicking threads hammer-ons, slides, bends, harmonics, and rhythmic slaps through resonant open strings, leaving small spaces between phrases; minimal, unhurried pulse; expressive, intimate, masterful male vocal in English, close and clear; warm studio room, close condenser mics at fretboard and body, subtle ambient reverb, crisp articulation and dynamic presence; individually mastered stems, Oud under the natural master, subtle room ambience under the spatial master, with a restrained final refrain

[Verse 2]
The buyer praised its painted side;
My worried heart rehearsed the lie:
“It's sound enough,” my mind replied.
But saw his trust and met his eye.
“This wall may fail beneath a load.”
He looked, then set the price anew.
I lost a little on the road,
But left him knowing what was true.

[Chorus]
I kept my peace; I held my tongue
Against the fear that urged me on.
I let the truth come clear and plain,
Though some of what I'd earned was gone.
An honest tongue is worth far more
Than silver weighed in any scale;
A heart of gold outvalues kings,
And stores up trust beyond the sale.

[Verse 3]
A clipped coin slipped between the weights;
The merchant's hand moved to conceal.
I knew how fear can twist the scales,
How need can make deception feel
Like just a tiny harmless slight.
I asked him once to weigh it true.
His eyes showed shame, he made it right;
No shame, no feud, no debt passed through.

[Verse 4]
I washed the jars at evening's feet,
And filled them fresh before the climb.
The water clear, the grape juice sweet,
The last light laid itself on mine.
I had no tangled tale to mend.
No borrowed blame, no debt concealed.
The road was long; the day would end.
The heart brings home what it has sealed.

[Bridge]
A quiet house can still decay
When truth is buried in its walls.
A gentle word can clear the way;
A hidden rot can fell us all.
I cannot make each vessel sound,
Nor keep all storms beyond the door.
But I can tend what grows within,
And choose what reaches those I love.

[Final Chorus]
I kept my peace; I held my tongue
When fear would have me hide the truth.
But silence cannot mend a wrong,
Nor keep a heart from bearing fruit.
A careful tongue is worth far more
Than silver weighed in any scale;
A heart of gold outvalues kings,
And keeps the trust no coin can pale.

[Outro]
The jars are full. The lamps burn low.
The spring runs clear. The waters flow.

What spurs the heart will shape the home.
What I reap shows what I've grown.

2271/7500

[Verse 1] The cistern held the leaves and rain; The spring ran clear beneath the stone. I chose the source that would sustain, And bore its living waters home. One jar rang thin against the rest; A subtle flaw sat near the base. I thought of mouths my work must feed, Who'd know if I concealed its trace? [Verse 2] The buyer praised its painted side; My worried heart rehearsed the lie: “It's sound enough,” my mind replied. But saw his trust and met his eye. “This wall may fail beneath a load.” He looked, then set the price anew. I lost a little on the road, But left him knowing what was true. [Chorus] I kept my peace; I held my tongue Against the fear that urged me on. I let the truth come clear and plain, Though some of what I'd earned was gone. An honest tongue is worth far more Than silver weighed in any scale; A heart of gold outvalues kings, And stores up trust beyond the sale. [Verse 3] A clipped coin slipped between the weights; The merchant's hand moved to conceal. I knew how fear can twist the scales, How need can make deception feel Like just a tiny harmless slight. I asked him once to weigh it true. His eyes showed shame, he made it right; No shame, no feud, no debt passed through. [Verse 4] I washed the jars at evening's feet, And filled them fresh before the climb. The water clear, the grape juice sweet, The last light laid itself on mine. I had no tangled tale to mend. No borrowed blame, no debt concealed. The road was long; the day would end. The heart brings home what it has sealed. [Bridge] A quiet house can still decay When truth is buried in its walls. A gentle word can clear the way; A hidden rot can fell us all. I cannot make each vessel sound, Nor keep all storms beyond the door. But I can tend what grows within, And choose what reaches those I love. [Final Chorus] I kept my peace; I held my tongue When fear would have me hide the truth. But silence cannot mend a wrong, Nor keep a heart from bearing fruit. A careful tongue is worth far more Than silver weighed in any scale; A heart of gold outvalues kings, And keeps the trust no coin can pale. [Outro] The jars are full. The lamps burn low. The spring runs clear. The waters flow. What spurs the heart will shape the home. What I reap shows what I've grown.

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